Mogadishu, August 5, 2007 - The head of the immigration department of the Somalia’s transitional government Abdulahi Gafow Mohamud said on Saturday the newly opened office in Mogadishu have registered around 200 citizens who took the new controversial E-passports.

Speaking to the reporters in Mogadishu, Mr. Gafow said since yesterday the immigration office issued 200 passports.

“The people given to the new passport were happy to take and use the electronic passport which is more sophisticated and modern,” said Gafow. “People are coming to my office ordering the new passport,”

The official said all the people who are interested to get the new passport should use Dahab-shil bank since the current government has no bank system.

Earlier some of the parliament members in Baidoa described the e-passport as illegal and has no ratification from the parliament.

But the government insisted that the new passport should be put into force giving the old passport 60 days to expire.